Description
Sweet & Sticky Pineapple Bourbon Chicken is a flavorful dish featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in a luscious sauce made from pineapple juice, bourbon, soy sauce, and brown sugar. This recipe balances savory, sweet, and tangy notes, enhanced by garlic, ginger, and fresh pineapple chunks, perfect for a deliciously unique weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
Thickener
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Final Garnish
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
- Sesame seeds, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season the chicken thighs evenly with salt and black pepper on both sides to prepare them for searing.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and sear each side for about 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Then, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour pineapple juice, bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger into the same skillet. Stir everything well to combine.
- Simmer the sauce: Let the sauce come to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water until smooth to create a slurry. Gradually add this mixture to the skillet, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
- Cook the chicken in sauce: Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet along with any accumulated juices. Simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, spooning sauce over the chicken occasionally, until fully cooked and the sauce is thick and sticky.
- Add pineapple chunks: Stir in fresh pineapple chunks and cook for an additional 5 minutes to warm and blend the flavors.
- Serve: Plate the chicken hot, garnished with chopped green onions and optional sesame seeds for added texture and presentation.
Notes
- For best results, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, as they remain tender and juicy during cooking.
- If bourbon is not available or preferred, you can substitute with apple juice or additional pineapple juice, though flavor will vary.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar to taste depending on desired sweetness.
- Serve this dish over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 0h 15m
- Cook Time: 0h 40m
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
